Pilot Program Grants Program 2026 Webinar:
Clinical Translation Science (CTS) Pilot and Clinical Translation Research (CTR) Pilot
The Pilot Grants Program 2026 is designed to propel clinical and translational science initiatives throughout NJ ACTS, engaging our academic alliance partners (Rutgers, Princeton, and New Jersey Institute of Technology) and our health system partner, RWJ Barnabas Health.
For the CTS, our initiative seeks to furnish initial resources to nurture programs that can then compete for expanded extramural support, leveraging funding opportunities such as Element E or RC2 studies (see RFA for explanation) pertinent to NJ ACTS, or through independent extramural avenues (R or K series grants). CTS total funding support may not exceed $40,000.
For the CTR, pilot grants are intended to develop and advance innovative clinical and translational research, provide a path to sustainable, extramurally funded independent research, and encourage the development of innovations with potential for commercialization.CTR proposals may request between $50,000 and $100,000 (Rutgers); $50,000 (NJIT). Collaboration cannot request more than $100,000.
Previously funded projects: https://njacts.rbhs.rutgers.edu/investigator-resources/funding-opportunities/pilot-grants-2/
This funding cannot support studies that meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial: https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/policy-topics/clinical-trials/definition
Key Pilot Program Dates
- Release Date: January 26, 2026
- Pre-submission Webinar: February 12, 2026, at 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Register: https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/5PGML84nSZ667dxcV7rrow#/registration - Letter of Intent Deadline: February 20, 2026 (required)(by 5:00 EST).
Link to CTS LOI form: https://redcap.rutgers.edu/surveys/?s=JWT39TWX3L8JXY48
Link to CTR LOI form: https://redcap.rutgers.edu/surveys/?s=REFN3K3AX3DT9DY8 - Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 (required by 5:00 pm EST).
- Award Notification: April 2026
- Earliest Start Date: CTS dependent on regulatory approvals and NIH/NCATS approval; CTR May 1, 2026, dependent on regulatory approvals